Reasonably Healthy
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- Jan 18, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 19, 2021
FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Having finished watching a movie, PETER gets up from the sofa.
PETER (V.O.): Oh, I feel a little dizzy and weak. Is there anything wrong with me?
Peter's WIFE is preparing the gears to take KAJI, the family pet, out.
WIFE: Could you please drive up the car? After going to the pet garden, we'll go to the dog groomer.
PETER: Okay.
PETER (V.O.): Am I fit to drive? Am I too sensitive about my health?
EXT. ROAD - NIGHT
Waiting at the driver seat, Peter checks his phone notifications.
PETER (V.O.): A Quoran asks me what will make me happy in 2021. I'll be happy if I could remain reasonably healthy.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. OFFICE - DAY (2008)
Focusing on the computer screen, Peter (54) is reading something.
PETER (V.O.): This is my e-medical report. My overall health condition is "Reasonably Healthy"?
Peter makes a call.
PETER (To phone): Doctor, what's the meaning of "Reasonably Healthy"?
DOCTOR (From phone): Given your antecedent conditions, you're rather healthy, above average, but not a very high degree.
PETER (To phone): I got it. I'm not completely or wholly healthy, but somewhat fairly healthy.
Peter hangs up.
PETER (V.O.): It's the first time I had my full medical check up. I did it just because it was free.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): A doctor friend of mine hasn't done it himself. He says that a general medical check-up is only relevant to those offering the service for a fee.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I just keep on swimming and dancing as exercises.
END FLASHBACK
EXT. MTR CABIN - DAY
Peter is thinking.
PETER (V.O.): I'm going to see my family doctor to get some Lipitors. Should I mention my few seconds of dizziness to him? It seems trivial.
INT. CLINIC - LATER
After tendering an appointment chit at the counter, a STAFF responds to Peter.
STAFF: Your doctor is on leave today. You'll consult another doctor.
PETER: No problem.
PETER (V.O.): I'll just take the Lipitors home.
Later, Peter is inside a consultation room.
DOCTOR: Have you checked your blood pressure?
PETER: No.
DOCTOR: There's a blood pressure monitor outside. You can help yourself to it.
PETER (V.O.): This is the first time I've heard about it.
After leaving the consultation room with chits in hand, Peter looks for the blood pressure monitor. He sees someone using it in the waiting area.
PETER (V.O.): I see.
Later, Peter helps himself to the monitor, clumsily.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's my first time doing it.
Later, after tearing a chit from the monitor, Peter reads it.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What is SYS mmHg, DIA mmHg and PUL min? How to interpret the numbers?
Sitting in a corner, Peter researches with his phone.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): SYS is Systolic (upper number), DIA is Diastolic (lower number) and mmHg means millimeters of Mercury - the standard of measuring pressure. And PUL min is Pulse per minute.
Peter reads his chit.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): My lower number is 58. Is it too low for blood pressure? No doubt, I felt dizzy the other day!
Peter reads the small prints on his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This is called hypotension. I need to drink more water as fluid can increase blood pressure. I feel very thirsty now.
Having enquired with a NURSE, Peter rechecks his blood pressure three times at the monitor. He then compares the numbers on the chits.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They're all different. Only my pulse rate 59-60 is steady.
Act 3
EXT. MTR CABIN - LATER
Peter is glued to his phone screen.
PETER (V.O.): My pulse rate at my age is excellent. And my lower number which is below 80 is normal.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): But my upper number which isn't 120 has been elevated to high blood pressure (or hypertension) stage 1.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): There isn't a crisis but I need lifestyle change. I've eaten fatty stuff regularly. I must stop and do more exercises. Otherwise, how can I be reasonably healthy?
INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT
Peter takes a look at Kaji.
PETER (V.O.): Kaji is quite fat too. That's why my wife has been very strict regarding our pet's diet.
Peter looks enlightened.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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